BigBen

Which is why it's always important to talk things over and not make assumptions. In my view, Hank was awfully quick to declare the relationship over, and he did so unilaterally. If he had listened better (or been able to listen better) to Chase, they could have come to some joint conclusion about how to proceed. But of course, the story would have been a much shorter one!

I read Dirty Pool a while ago and found it sad. At least Duncan was willing to listen to Leon, unlike Hank's unwillingness to listen to Chase. But I don't believe I finished the story. I'm sure they got back together. In real life, if Kelly had tried something like that with me, he'd be permanently on my shit list, and it would have ruined any chance that I would have been willing or able to listen to Leon at that point. On the other hand, open and honest encouragement would probably have found me amenable to meeting and talking with Leon in the first place, so that whole scene would never have arisen. In my case, when my ex and I broke up, it wasn't because we were unable to talk things out. And trust me, it wasn't for lack of love, either. It was other factors that cost us each other's respect, and we were never able to overcome that loss. Nor would our friends ever have tried to get us back together because, by the last couple of years, we were toxic for each other, as well as for everyone around us when we were present.

You know, Hank did spend all that time consoling Kevin over the breakup with John, even before his own breakup with Chase . . . Just saying!

BTW, am I the only one who was hoping that Dawson would come to his senses, not get in the plane after all, and ride off on his bike with Chase into the sunset? Shame Gary's a better writer than that . . . (sigh)

You're welcome!!!! 😁

Oh, the irony! The friend group is unaware that Hank and our favorite man-whore are sleeping together, even though they see the two of them hanging out, but they assume that Chase and Dawson are sleeping together, because they see the two of them hanging out. That's the kind of double standard friends need to be careful to avoid. I'm really glad that Chase sees this and names it in his conversation with Stacy. I don't agree that the friends are all being neutral and that it's all on Chase for not reaching out. Remember that scene in the restaurant where one friend wants to say hello to Chase, but his lover drags him away. Seeing something like that would give me a clear signal that my friends had indeed taken sides--and not mine, either. Stacy has shown how it is possible to maintain friendship with both parties and not take either's side.

Individual reactions are funny. I would have found that kind of invasiveness too much to take, and would have had to quit reading the story. Not to say I am capable of living life without my friends' help, but I don't deal well with meddling.

I don't think it's that simple. I never stopped caring for my ex after we broke up (nearly thirty years ago), but there is no way we could ever have moved back in together again. No friend can ever know all the details of a couple's relationship, and no true friend would ever push the couple in either direction. Help clarify feelings, yes; have an opinion about what they should do, no. I don't believe that. Jealousy is a sign of suspicion, insecurity, and immaturity, not love. If Hank really loves Chase, Chase's happiness and well-being will be essential to his own, even to the extent of stepping back and letting him find that happiness and well-being with someone else, if necessary. Which is not to say that they can't find happiness together again, but there's a lot of work needed, before that becomes a viable possibility. They will need to establish a new relationship in the process, however, because the old one has been made untenable. At this point, I feel it's on Hank to do the growing and to approach Chase, because Chase has already done all he can.

This is so sad. Poor Matt! To give your whole heart and soul to someone, only to find out that the other person finds your gift to be inadequate and insufficient, is devastating. I know first-hand how that feels. Matt is right; it would have been kinder for Mike to shoot him through the heart. I really hope Mark can grasp what an honor it is that Mike values his gift over Matt's. I wish Mike had found a kinder way of breaking the news to poor Matt. My fear is that losing Mike could destroy Matt completely. This story is just too heartbreaking to continue with.

You can get friction burns from sucking?? 😱

Hon, it's been such a long dry spell that even a little Cave-in action might be welcome! Assuming I can remember how it's done, after all these years . . . . 🍑 🍆

You're absolutely right, as Gary is continually reminding us. But Hank-baiting and Kevin-bashing are just so much FUN! Hank may not be a douche, but he'll certainly need a douche if he lets Cave -in sneak around his backstairs . . . 🤣🤣

"Oh, darling, we don't need to use protection," Tom said rashly. So what you are saying is that their lumber is jacked? 🤣

He'll just wait and spring it on us when we're not looking, lol!😊😃😁

You might be surprised. I'm thinking of a production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" starting Hank and Kevin as Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor! 😁😆🤣

You know, when I posted earlier that Hank had made his bed and now must lie in it, the bed I had in mind was Cave-in's! 🤣🤣🤣

You're right about Dawson, Gary, it's just that every time I made an impulsive decision like that, and every time I let reason prevail, I made the wrong choice, every single time. 😢

Bingo! 👍

I understand the regret, and taking a chance makes sense. It's just that he's picking up stakes entirely, in order to do this. I wish there were a less drastic way for him to either get his chance with Brent or find closure. If Brent doesn't come around after this big, dramatic gesture, Dawson will be stuck in Whitehorse with nothing to do, won't he? Can he afford to pick up stakes yet again, if things don't work out with Brent? I just wish he could find a way of learning where he stands with Brent without such a great risk of really unhappy consequences. It's Brent's unwillingness to say anything about Perry except that inconclusive bit about things not being good "right now" that has me worried. Is Brent still carrying a torch for Perry? If not, Dawson's move would still be a risk, but it would be a lot less iffy than it looks at the moment. I wish he'd at least tried to bring up his feelings with Brent on the phone, before making this big decision. On the other hand, Chase is such a good friend to Dawson that perhaps he'd be willing to take him in, if Dawson has to come back to Toronto? 😁🤣

As long as Dawson doesn't get his heart broken. I just have this feeling . . . (And it's because Gary is sneaky—just when you think you've got the story figured out, BLAM!)

Wow! I'm glad to see Chase free of Hank. Hank has made his bed and now must lie in it. I'm worried about Dawson. This doesn't seem like him; he usually has a steadier head on his shoulders. I'd feel better about him if he had at least asked Brent what the chances of a relationship between the two of them might be. Hanging around and waiting for someone to come to his senses is not a strategy that has worked well for me.

I used to be quite the fan of dead baby jokes, once upon a time . . . 😱

We actually came up with it in 11th grade English class, for a play we were writing. Given how long ago that was, I guess that makes it a granddad joke, lol! Centurion: Caesar! The peasants are revolting! Caesar: They sure are! I wouldn't want my daughter to marry one.

Quick Julius, Caesar before she gets away! 🤣

Wow, all these images! I thought my phone was refusing to talk to GayAuthors at all (I think it dislikes Cave-in as much as I do, lol!). Guess I just need to be more patient while it's downloading.